Wednesday, April 15, 2009

We braved the Passover holiday crowds and some pretty gray (as you'll see from the photos) and windy weather today to visit Nahal Alexander, one of the only places in Israel where you can see soft-shelled turtles. These turtles can grow to a length of one meter (3 feet) and a weight of 50 kg (110 pounds)]. The ones we saw today were probably close to that size, don't you think?

.

.

After watching the turtles for a bit we headed into the park to pass through what you might have mistaken for a very large parking lot full of picnickers escape the crowds and walk along the nahal (river) towards the sea. About halfway along we stopped to see the view from Khirbet Samra, the ruins of a mansion owned by a 19th century watermelon merchant.

.

....

On our way out of the park at the end of the day we were happy to see that two of the local nutria were paying a visit, stopping on the bank to eat matza some idiot had thrown in plants and the occasional grapefruit that had rolled down the hill from a nearby orchard.

.

.

.We had a great day out, though I'll be sure to schedule our next visit for a non-holiday weekend..

Where I live we have so many Nutria, the government has Nutria Round Ups. Jim Bobs, Bubbas, and Betty Sues...show up by the pick-up truck full. With TAILS... yeah just the tails. GROSS! They get paid for each tail they bring in. I asked the hubby what they did with the bodies...he swears that they eat them!

Around the Island Photography

You heard it hear first (mailing list - one e-mail per month max)

Who? Where? What island?

No, not a tropical island. My kitchen island, where my life happens.
Fine art, nature and travel photography from around Israel and around the world, with a side helping of musings and family life from a mom of two just outside of Tel Aviv, Israel.